Measuring and hoisting apparatus



UNITED STATES PATENT (BFHEu CHARLES I. WILSON, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ROBEBTS/L SGHAEFER. COlv'.[`.PA.'NY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORORATION OF Il'.LI'..l.\l'0IS.y

MESURING- AND I-IOSTXNG APPARATUS.

Be it known that I, CHARLES' P. lVILSoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Measuring and Hoisting Apparatus, of which the ollowin r is a specification. l

ly invention relates to improvements in coal 'handling devices, and has for one ob ject to provide a new and improved form of device which when used in connection with a discharge'hopper and a vertically recipro Iating measuring and discharge bucket, will without any Separate cradle, carriage or the like guide the bucket without rotating it from its vertical path over toward and convey it under the discharge mouth of the hopper in such manner that it will extend across that mouth and receive a predetermined quantity of coal or other similarv material which quantity will be just sufiicient totill the bucket and thus insure proper measuring. In other words, my invention lies largely in a special arrangement of trackage, guides, and associated parts by the use of which I am enabled to niove'the bucket both ven tically and horizontally and preferably without rotating it so as to place it 'under the discharge mouth of the bin. Other objects of the4 invention will appear from time to time in the speciiication, and l wish therefore, that my drawings be regarded as in a sense diagrammatic.

` My invention isiillustrated in one forni in the accompanying drawingsy wherein- Figure l is a Side elevation in part section showing` the bucket at the lower end of its excursion;

Fig'. 2 is a Side elevation showing` the bucket at the upper end ot' its excursion;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the bucket and associated. parts;

Fig'. el is a section along' the line Ml or' Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a section along the line of Fie. l.

ILike parts are indicated by like characters in all the figures.

I have not illustrated the tower or the means foi-propelling` the bucket, as the tower form-s no part of my invention, and the same istrue of the propelling means, but l have l Specification of Letters Patent. Puni-@d H459., 2j, 1925:@

Application led May 21, 1918.

Serial No. 235,783.

illustrated a portion at both ends of 'the eX- cursion of the bucket because thatlis important.

A is the usual"type oli receiving hopper crossed by the tracks A1 which may Support any suitable railroad car from which the coal will be dumped into the hopper. i2 'is a discharge spout or chute or port communicating with the bottom of the hopper and adaptedto permit passage oi solid or comminuted material suoli as coaland the like. A3 is a gate adapted to slide across the open end of the spout A? along a line normal to the path of travel of the niatcrial through the spout.- lt travels along; rollers on track A4 and is normally held closed by the counterweiaht A5 and. the hoisting rope A6.

B, B are two pairs of parallel vertically disposed tracks mounted on the tower or' other suitable apparatus or Structure upon which the whole system is supported. These parallel tracks guide the' rollers El, Bg on l al bucket B3 which bucket may be raised and lowered along the tracks by means of hoist ing cable BL controlled by mechanism not here shown or illustrated. This bucket is open above at so'that it may be filled, and is provided with the discharge opening BG closed by a vpivoted combined gate and (hate BT. BS is a single track parallel with the tracks B. B adapted to be engaged by the roller B, which, when the bucket is inlerinediate. the ends of its excursion by the engagement of the track B8. causes the gate to remain in the closed position and prevents discharge of material from the bucket.

C. C are pairs of parallel opposed tracks.'

The pairs are parallel one with the other and are inclined to the tracks B.' i They pass down vardly under the hopper parallel with the outer end of the chute fig. Each of the tracks C, C1 has an upwardly curved cxtension C2. U connecting with a vertical extenMeuh-lli.y (l5 parallel with t" e track .ll and terminating; in Spread porti i C, C". The track B terminates in a downwardly and 'sidewardly curved extension CS cut away or notched as'at C9 in line with the vertical ,portion of the track B.

The roller B1 is longenough so that it overlaps the notched portions anni cannot pass through it as the bucket cornes down,

'ice

but the roller B2 is. short enough so that it does pass through the notched portiont and therefore can assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. As the bucket is lowered the roller El therefore must follow theV the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.v l.

About'that time the rollers D, D1 pass on to thecurved portion C2, C3, and the bucket commences to move to the right While it goes down; `While in this position with these tracks C3, C2 out oaf-parallelism, somethingY must hold the bucket against rotation7 and that something is the long roller B1. lt

Gives the bucket, and this three point triangular support operates until the bucket has -got down so ar that the rollers D, D1 are 'held in the parallel portions Then you have a parallel motion apparatus and no rotation of' the bucket is possible. About that time or alittle thereafter, the roller B1 '-passeslout of engagement With the track Cs because the three point support is no longer needed.- The bucket/, continues its down ward and sidcward path Without rotation until the open portion Bi passes-intol register with the chute A? the roller B1 does not engage the track C1 alter leaving the track C8 and when the parts are returned on the upward'excursion it simply enters the lower spread mouth of the track C8. rlhe rollers D1 D1 extend farther out than the rollers B1 B1 hence they contact the track which is not engaged by the rollers B1 B1.

its the bucket continues its downward and sideward motion, that is its inclined path, it lirst engages, of course, theidoor or gate and 'forces that down against .the counterweight and the door immediately opens and coal gradually runs into the bucket and fills it. lt fills the bucket but nonerv overllows, ot course, and as soon as the bucket is lilled a pull on the cable will pull the bucket back up along the inclined tracks until it engages the vertical tracks andthen it will come on up to wheremit is to be dumped. As it is pulled up it brings with it the door finally closing oil the iow and cutting across thecolumn ol: coal leaving p verything ready for the next load. l

T he gate B7 except when the bucket is being dumped is in the closed position as shown in Fig. l. lt will be held in such position by' a sliding latch This latch E takes the i'orm of a pinslidable in brackets El El adapted to drop down under the weight ol gravity and come in iront of .the

upper vertically disposed rportion y a three point triangular support for i ,scenes upper-lip of the gate B7v to hold itclosed. This pin is heavy and gravity alone is suilicient to hold it down but to'make assurance doubly sure, a spring E2 assists the force oli gravity though the primary purpose of the spring is to prevent rattling of the parts. E3 is a pin on the latch E. It is adapted to be engaged by a lever E4 pivoted on the axis of the roller D and rigid With a control lever E5 having at its end a roller E". rl`his roller E6 is -adaptednormally to be held by the Weight of the latch and spring in. thev upper outer position shown in Fig. l, but. asY the bucket approaches the upper end of.

its excursion this roller Will be engaged by a cam rack E7 Whichhas first anengaging part E?, then an inclined part E9 which' causes the roller to assume the position in Fig.l 2 and then a holding part E10 which holds the roller'there. As the bucket comes up the lever isthus rotated to raise the latch and the gate would open were it not for the track BB, but a'fter the bucket has been raised beyond a predetermined point the .roller B9 rides out on the of set' end of ,the track B8V and the bucket can dump. 'lf it should happen that the bucket Went' up too faalthc linkE11 would come into play to limit the rotation of the gate B7 so that it would not get down: behind the track B3 in atreverse position.

n Win n. anagrams une the roues n is in engagement 'vith the track E7 andwith that track only. l The roller does nothing enn cept 'when it is'about to trip the latch and it will be further noted that the arran ement of the parts is such that 'the track will always have closed the doorI on the return before' 'the latch .is released. Thistrack B5 may continue down as shown in Fig. l, but in most cases it will be omitted as the latch itself is a positive one and it is only necessary to have the track in place Where the latch is released. i

'l have not illustrated or described the means for operating the gate as a result of the movement of the bucket to cause discharge of coal' from the hopper into the bucket because that may take any desired form and it is no essential part of my invention. lt will be evident that many changes may be made both in size, shape4 andarrangement of parts andthat while the device as l have shown it is operative it should be regarded .as ina sense diagrammatic as showing one of many mechanical arrangements and .falling under` the scopeof my claims. l

' Tlhe use and operation of my invention 'are as follows:-I

Goal is first supplied to the large hopper in any suitable manner, the discharge gate trom the hopper being; of course, closed.

The machinery .for reciprocating the bucket along the tracks is then put into operation.

the pressure oia coal flowing out through the, port trom the hopper cannot torce coal out of the bucket, it will be evident that the quantity of coal can be measured it' vou know the capacity of the bucket. That; of

course is known and so a predetermined amount ot coal will be taken. up at each excursion of the bucket. When the bucket filled it will' start up, closing the gate as 'it goes. Soon after leaving the gate it will pass around thi curved track arrangement onto the vertical track and will travel until it reaches the point where the latch will be released as indicated, the dumping track will rest against the track when the gate will ,be allowed to open and the bucket will be dmnped. T hen as the bucket comes down the dumping gate will be closed, the latch released and then the bucket with its hitched and closed gate will pass down to repeat the process.

A great deal et' importance must be attached to the arrangement for guiding the bucket luider the hopper so that it may be lilled from. that hopper without the inscri tion of any separate measuringdevice. lt will be noted. vthat no separate apparatus is used, that tracks are provided which engage rollers on the bucket and carry it down. The parallel arrangement of the two closed tracks with the rollers engaging them make sure that the bucket will go forward without tilting once the change in direction has been made, but while change in direction is being made the curved tracks are a source of danger which is obviated byV using the lat erally deilected lower portion of the main vertical track; and the pin on the bucket which travels `itherealong.

li claixntl.. it. coal handling plant comprising a ported receiving hopper, a vertically disposed hoisting track curved at its lower end toward the hopper, a plurality ofvertical guide tracks parallel with the hoisting track and projecting above the lower end thereof, said tracks beingurved toward the hopper adjacent the curved hoisting track extension and terminating in parallel tracks inclined beneath the hopper, a. bucketn means for hoisting it and members proJecting therefrom and engaging the hoisting track,

and the vuiding tracks, one of the members arranged for engagement'of the hoisting` track being adapted to remain in engagement with the curved extension as the bucket descends.

` A coal handling plant comprising a receiving hopper having a discharge port, a hoisting and measuring bucket, a vertical hoisting' track along which it travels, inclined guide tracks adapted to guide it beneath 'the hopper, means associated with said tracks for holding the bucket against rotation while traveling along them and additional means interposed between said tracks Yt'or holding the bucket against rotavtion while moving from one to the other group of tracks.

3. The combination with a hopper having `a discharge port and a hoisting and measuring bucket adapted to take material therefrom of a vertical track leading upwardly from the hopper, a pair of parallel inclined tracks beneath the hopper and members on the bucket adapted toengage such tracks and means for guiding the bucket as it moves from the vertical tothe inclined tracks, said means comprising aacurved eX- tension in continuation of the vertical track adapted to guide one of the track engaging means over toward the hopper and to remain in contact with the bucket until the bucket is well on its way on the inclined tracks.

a. A. coal lhandlingplant comprising a hopper having4 a discharge port, a bucket having ain inlet port, said ports in planes substantially parallel with each other when in register, means for moving ythe bucket vertically, means for moving it laterally beneath the hopper at the lower end of its excursion so as to bringthe two ports into register, said means comprising two laterally deflected tracks and projections on the bucket which ride on said tracks. and a cutol gate between :tud substantially parallel with the ports and adapted to be moved by the bucket'and to leave a free passage from the hopper to the bucket while the ports `are in register.

5. A coal handling' plant comprising' a hopper having a discharge port, a bucket having an inlet portJp said ports in planes substantially parallel with each other when in register, means for moving the bucket vertically, means for moving; it laterally bcneath the hopper at the lower end of its excursion so as to bring` the two ports into register. said means comprising-two laterally dellected tracks and projections on the bucket which ride on said tracks. and a cutotl gate between and substantially parallel -with the ports and adapted to bemoved by the bucket and to leave a free passagefrom the {hopper to the bucket while the ports are in register, and means for normally holdingr the Arate closed against `the action of the bucket. y

6. A coal handling plant comprising a hopper having a discharge port, a. bucketv ,as tobring' thetivo ports into register, said means comprising laterally deflected tracks and projections on the buckets to engage them and a cut-oil gate beneatli'and substantiallyl parallel with the ports and adapt ed to be moved by the bucket and in en- `r5agement with it and to leave a' free passage from the hopper to the bucket While lthe ports are in register.

T. A coal handling plant comprising a having an inlety port, vertical tracks and projections` on the bucket' engaging said tracks, means for moving` the bucket laten ally beneath the hopper at' the lower end of its excursion so as' to bring' the tivo ports into'registensaid means comprising laterally dcfiected tracks and projections on the buckets 'to engage them and a cutoff gate adapted to move in response to the bucket movement and to leave a free passage from the hopper to lthe bucket While the ports are in register, and means `for steadying the bucket as it passes from the vertical to the laterally dedected tracks.

8. il coal handling plant comprising a hopper having' discharge port, bucket having; an inlet port, vertical tracks and projections on the bucket `engag'iiligi said tracks, means for moving the bucket lat orally beneath the hopper at the lower end of its excursion so as to bring the two ports into register, said means comprising lat erally deflected tracks and projections on thc-buckets to engage them and a cut-oli` gate adapted to moveiii response to the bucket movement and to' ieave a free pas sage 'from the hopper to the bucket While the ports are vin register, and means Stor steadying the bucket as it passes from the Vertical to thelaterally deiected tracks comprising a laterally curved track' and an engagement on the bucket which follows such track.

9'. A coal .handling plant comprising a hopper having a discharge port, a bucket having an inlet port, vertical tracks laterally bentY at tlieir'llower ends and proiections on the bucket engaging' said tracks, means for moving the bucketl laterally beneath the .hopper at the end of its excursion so asto bring the two ports into register, said means comprising laterally deflected tracks sepcrate from they vertical track and having vertical portions at their ends parallel to the lower end of the main vertical track and projections on the buckets to engage'them incense and a cut-oil, Igate adapted to move in response to the bucket movement and in engagement with it and to leave -a free passage from the hopper to` the bucket While the buckets are in register. OjA coal handling plant comprising hopper having a discharge port, a bucket having an inlet port, a pair of double vertical tracks laterally and divergentlybent' at their lower ends and projections on the bucket engaging said tracks, means ormovingthe bucket laterally beneath the hopper at the lower end of its excursion so'as to briner the tufo norts into register, said means comprising;v one or. more pairs of 'double tracks having vertical upper portions pai allel in part to the main vertical track, di vergeht upper ends and laterally deflected lower portions and projectionsl on the il. A conveying' bucket and means for' moving it vertically, in combination with a hinged dumping door on the bucket, la latch y for the same comprisingr a vertically moving Y pin mounted on. the bucket and. adapted to overhang the door and thus hold it closed,l in combination with means for lifting such vertically moving latch out of engagement 'with the bucket door responsive' to the vertical travel of the buckets 12. A conveying bucket and means for moving it vertically, in combination with a hinged dumping-door on the bucket, a latch for the saine comprising a vertically moving pin mounted on the bucket and adapted to overhang .the door and thus hold it closed,

incoinbination with means for lifting suchA vertically moving latch out of engagement with the bucket door responsive to the vertical travel ci the bucket, and a spring to normally hold the latch in door locking position.

13. A conveyor bucket and means for moving it in combination with a dumping door, iatchinp; means to hold said door normally closed, means` for releasing the latch vand permitting the door to open responsive to the vertical movement of the bucket and a supplementary door support which limits the openingA motion of the door, consisting ot a link pivoted to the bucket and provided with a slot and s. pin which passes through theslot and is attached to the door.A

ln testimony whereof l aiin my signature in the presence of two witnessesthis 15th day of May, 1918.

CHARLES l. WLSON, Witnesses:

LAUREL D. Merlin, Manton L. lusnenfan,

IDO 

